Object Location Tracking Using Mobile Communication Device

ABSTRACT

An object location tracking system may include an object, a mobile communication device, and a data storage system. The object may include a wireless short range communication system that wirelessly transmits object identification information over a short range that uniquely identifies the object. The mobile communication device may have a location detection system that generates location information indicative of the location of the wireless communication device; a wireless short range communication system that wirelessly receives the object identification information from the object when the object is in close proximity to the mobile communication device; and a wireless data communication system that wirelessly communicates the location information and the object identification information to a data storage system. The data storage system may receive and store the location information and the object identification from the wireless data communication system in the mobile communication device.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates to tracking the location of objects, such aspromotional objects.

2. Description of Related Art

There are many situations in which it may be desirable to track thelocation of an object, such as the location of a promotional object,such as a mug, pen, portfolio (e.g., day timer or calendar), stressball, coaster, cup holder, T-shirt, or soda can.

Tracking that location, however, can be difficult, costly, orimpractical. For example, expensive and/or bulky hardware may be needed.The cooperation of a person carrying that object may also be needed,which may not be provided or at least provided regularly.

SUMMARY

An object location tracking system may include an object, a mobilecommunication device, and a data storage system. The object may includea wireless short range communication system that wirelessly transmitsobject identification information over a short range that uniquelyidentifies the object. The mobile communication device may have alocation detection system that generates location information indicativeof the location of the wireless communication device; a wireless shortrange communication system that wirelessly receives the objectidentification information from the object when the object is in closeproximity to the mobile communication device; and a wireless datacommunication system that wirelessly communicates the locationinformation and the object identification information to a data storagesystem. The data storage system may receive and store the locationinformation and the object identification from the wireless datacommunication system in the mobile communication device.

The wireless short range communication system included with the devicemay include an NFC tag. The wireless short range communication systemincluded with the mobile communication device may include an NFCinitiator.

The data storage system may have a network address. The NFC tag that isincluded with the object may wirelessly transmit a URL that includes thenetwork address of the data storage system and the object identificationinformation when in close proximity to the mobile communication device.

The wireless data communication system in the mobile communicationdevice may wirelessly send a communication to the data storage systemusing the URL; in response, wirelessly receive from the data storagesystem a request for the location information; and wirelessly deliverthe location information to the data storage system in response to therequest for the location information. The data storage system maydeliver the request for the location information to the mobilecommunication device in response to receipt of the communication fromthe mobile communication device.

The data storage system may store the approximate time it receives thelocation information.

In response to receipt of the location information, the data storagesystem may deliver promotional information to the mobile communicationdevice that is keyed to the location information that it receives fromthe mobile communication device.

The object may be a promotional object.

The object may include a location-tracking indicator that visuallyindicates that the object includes a location tracking device.

These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits,and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the followingdetailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanyingdrawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate allembodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead.Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save spaceor for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practicedwith additional components or steps and/or without all of the componentsor steps that are illustrated. When the same numeral appears indifferent drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an object location tracking system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an object location tracking process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments are now described. Other embodiments may beused in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessarymay be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation. Someembodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/orwithout all of the components or steps that are described.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an object location tracking system.FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an object location tracking process.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the object location tracking system mayinclude an object 101 whose location is to be tracked, a mobilecommunication device 103, a wireless data communication system 105, theInternet 107, and a data storage system 109.

The object 101 may be of any type. For example, the object 101 may be apromotional object that was given as a gift, such as a mug, pen,portfolio (e.g., day timer or calendar), stress ball, coaster, cupholder, T-shirt, or soda can.

The object 101 may include a wireless short range communication system111. The wireless short range communication system 111 may be attachedto (e.g., with adhesive) or embedded within the object 101. The wirelessshort range communication system 111 may be configured to wirelesslytransmit object identification information that uniquely identifies theobject. It may be configured to do so only in response to a wirelesssignal from a device that is in close proximity to the object 101 and todo so each time the object 101 is brought in such close proximity.

The wireless short range communication system 111 may be of any type.For example, the wireless short range communication system 111 may be anNFC tag. The wireless short range communication system 111 may insteadutilize Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, UHF, an RFID, and/or any other type of shortrange wireless communication.

The wireless short range communication system 111 may be configured towirelessly transmit a string in response to the wireless signal. Whenthe wireless short range communication system 111 is an NFC tag, forexample, the NFC tag may be configured to transmit the string inresponse to being placed in close proximity to an NFC initiator. Thewireless signal from the NFC initiator may be received by the NFC tagand processed to also provide power for the NFC tag.

The string that is transmitted may include any information. For example,the string may include the object identification information thatuniquely identifies the object. The string may also include a networkaddress of the data storage system 109 which, as explained below, willultimately store information indicative of the location of the object.

The string may be in any form. For example, the string may be a URL thatincludes the network address at which the data storage system 109resides. The URL may also include the object identification information.The following is an example of such a URL:

http://www.twych.com/object/id=12345&url=/supplierid+distid+clientid?run

The initial “http://www.twych.com/object” portion of this URL mayrepresent the network address of the data storage system 109. The next“id=12345” portion of this URL may be the object identificationinformation. The remainder of the URL may identify a supplier,distributor, and/or client of the object and/or any other information.The URL may be in a different form and/or order. A string other than aURL may in addition or instead be provided.

The object 101 may have a location-tracking indicator 113 that visuallyindicates that the object includes a location-tracking device. Thelocation-tracking indicator may be a logo, trademark, and/or textualinformation. The location-tracking indicator may include instructions onhow to effectuate location tracking, e.g., instructions to place theobject in close proximity to a mobile communication device.

The mobile communication device 103 may be of any type. For example, itmay be a wireless phone, such as a smart phone, or a vehicle that hasthe necessary communication components. The mobile communication devicemay include a wireless short range communication system 115, a locationdetection system 117, and/or a wireless data communication system 119.

The wireless short range communication system 115 in the mobilecommunication device 103 may be configured to wirelessly communicatewith the wireless short range communication system 111 in the object101. Thus, the wireless short range communication system 115 may beconfigured to be compatible with the wireless short range communicationsystem 111. When the wireless short range communication system 111 is anNFC tag, for example, the wireless short range communication system 115may be a compatible NFC initiator.

The location detection system 117 may be configured to detect thelocation of the mobile communication device 103 and to provide locationinformation indicative of this location. Although not identical to thelocation of the object 101, it may be very close, as the wireless shortrange communication system 111 in the object 101 may be configured toonly transmit the object identification information when it is in closeproximity to the mobile communication device 103.

The location detection system 117 may be of any type. For example, itmay be a GPS system or a cell phone triangulation system.

The location information may be in any form. For example, it may be thegeo-coordinates of the mobile communication device 103 or only a subsetof these coordinates, such as only latitude and longitude.

The wireless data communication system 119 may be configured towirelessly communicate the location information and the objectidentification information to the data storage system 109.

The wireless data communication system 119 may be configured tocommunicate wirelessly with the data storage system 109 using any typeof network and communication protocol or any combination of them. Forexample, the wireless data communication system 119 may be configured tocommunicate wirelessly with the wireless data communication system 105over a cellular network, a data network, a Wi-Fi network, any other typeof network, or any combination of networks. The wireless datacommunication system 105 may be configured to communicate with the datastorage system 109 through the Internet 107 or any other type of networkor combination of networks.

When the network over which the wireless data communication system 119communicates is not connected to the Internet, the wireless datacommunication system 105 may include a bridge to the Internet.

The object 101 may be brought in close proximity to the mobilecommunication device 103, as reflected by an Object Moved Near MobileCommunication Device step 201. When this happens, the wireless shortrange communication system 111 may be energized by electromagneticradiation from the wireless short range communication system 115 in themobile communication device 103, as reflected by an Object ReceivesPower from Mobile Communication Device step 203.

In turn, this may cause the wireless short range communication system111 to wirelessly transmit the object identification information to themobile communication device 103, along with an address of the datastorage device 109, as reflected by an Object Transmits Object ID andData Storage Address step 205. In the case where the mobilecommunication device 103 utilizes an NFC initiator for the wirelessshort range communication system 115, this may happen without theaddition of any custom application in the mobile communication device103 by virtue of the standard NFC protocol that automatically translatesa received string that begins with http:// into a request and deliversit over the Internet.

The wireless short range communication system 115 in the mobilecommunication device 103 may then receive the object identificationinformation and the data storage address, as reflected by a MobileCommunication Device Receives Object ID and Data Storage Address step207. In turn, the wireless data communication system 119 may wirelesslytransmit the object identification information to the store data storagesystem 109 at the provided network address, as reflected by a MobileCommunication Device Sends Object ID to Address step 209.

The data storage system 109 may receive the object identificationinformation and store it, along with information identifying the mobilecommunication device 103, as reflected by a Data Storage System Receivesand Stores Object ID step 211.

The information identifying the mobile communication device 103 may beof any type or in any form. For example, it may be the IP and portaddress of the mobile communication device 103.

The data storage system 109 may then send a request back to the mobilecommunication device 103 for the location of the mobile communicationdevice 103, as reflected by a Data Storage System Sends Request forLocation step 213. This may be received by the wireless datacommunication system 119 in the mobile communication device 103, asreflected by a Mobile Communication Device Receives Request for Locationstep 215. In turn, the mobile communication device 103 may seek thelocation information from the location detection system 117, asreflected by a Mobile Communication Device Determines Location step 217.The mobile communication device 103 may then return the locationinformation to the data storage system 109 using the wireless datacommunication system 119, as reflected by a Mobile Communication DeviceSends Location step 219.

The data storage system 109 may then receive the location information,as reflected by a Data Storage Device Receives Location step 221. Thedata storage system 109 may then store the received locationinformation, along with the approximate time of its receipt, asreflected by a Data Storage Device Stores Location and Time step 223.

The data storage system 109 may be configured to deliver various kindsof information back to the mobile communication device 103, such aspromotional information that is keyed to the location information thatthe data storage system receives from the mobile communication device103, as reflected by a Data Storage System Returns Location-BasedPromotional Information step 225. For example, the data storage system109 may be configured to deliver promotional coupons for products orservices in the vicinity of the location indicated by the locationinformation.

The object 101 may then be moved away from the mobile communicationdevice 103, as reflected by an Object Moved Away From MobileCommunication Device step 227.

The object 101 may then again be moved in close proximity to the mobilecommunication device 103, as reflected by the Object Moved Near MobileCommunication Device step 201. And the process may repeat and continueto repeat each time the object 101 is move away from and then in closeproximity to the mobile communication device 103.

Sometimes, the object 101 may be moved in close proximity to a differentmobile communication device, in which case the same process may takeplace, albeit with the different mobile communication device.

Processes with additional, not as many, or different steps may insteadbe implemented. For example, the mobile communication device 103 may beconfigured to transmit its location at the same time it transmits theobject identification information to the data storage system 109. Inthis case, the data storage system 109 may not respond with a requestfor the location information.

The data storage system 109 may be configured to participate in any ofthe processes that have now been described in connection with numerousdifferent objects and their associated mobile communication devices.

The data that is stored in the data communication system 119 may be usedfor any purpose. For example, the data may be made accessible over theInternet to suppliers, vendors, and/or distributors of the object 101,along with the data for other objects whose locations are also beingtracked.

The data storage system 109 may include a data query system that enablesthe entity seeking access to the data to specify any desired subsetand/or aggregation of the data. For example, the query system may enablean entity to determine the various locations at which one specificobject has been, the various locations at which objects of the same typehave been, and/or the various objects and/or types of objects that havebeen at specified locations and/or within specified distances ofspecified locations. The query system may also include filters, such asdate filters, location filters, and/or object filters.

The data storage system 109 may include mapping data that may enable thedata storage system 109 to determine and communicate to inquirers alikely route over which a person took a particular object, based on thevarious locations at which the object has been detected, as well as thetime differences between each detected location.

The data storage system 109 may determine and communicate to inquirersthe amount of time an object has been at one or more locations bysubtracting the time the object is first detected at each location fromthe time the object is last detected at that location (or first detectedat the next location). The data storage system 109 may determine andcommunicate to inquirers the cumulative amount of time an object hasbeen at several or all detected locations by summing the duration of theobject's time at each location.

The data storage system 109 may build a personal profile for the personcarrying the object based on the stored times, dates and locationinformation. This may be useful when the object is a personal object,such as a promotional toothbrush, cosmetic case, or billfold. The datastorage system 109 may determine a pattern in the person's personalhabits or routine based on this information (e.g., such as when andwhere the person brushes her teeth, puts on makeup, or uses herbillfold). The data storage system 109 may provide a customized reportof this personal profile.

The data storage system 1098 may build a location profile for the objectbased on the stored information. For example, a promotional keychain maybe handed out by a restaurant. The keychain may be moved close to theperson's mobile phone each time during use. The data storage system 109may make a menu or delivery suggestion based on where the object is atthis time and deliver it to the mobile phone for view by the user. Thatmenu or delivery suggestion may be based on whether the reported time islunch and whether the reported location is the person's place of work(which may result in a quick, single person menu), whether the reportedtime is dinner and the reported location is the person's home (which mayresult in a more complete menu for a family), or whether the reportedlocation is far from home (which the system may know based on numerousreports on previous days of the person consistently being at a muchdifferent location). Data collected over time may allow the system tomake these types of determinations. The data storage system 109 may thendeliver recommendations to the person's mobile phone based on thesedeterminations and what is seemingly appropriate for each one. Thisdelivery may be at the same time as a reported location or at a latertime.

The data storage system 109 may map movements of objects other than theone that has the wireless short range communication system. For example,USPS may distribute a fun promotional item to promote awareness aboutit's door step pickup and delivery service. Neighbors may be encouragedto move the item close to their mobile phones each time they see thepostman in their neighborhood. The data processing system may use theresulting information to provide details about a postman's whereaboutsand/or approximate times and details about when the postman is expectedto arrive at different parts of his route.

The data storage system 109 may map a coming disaster or epidemic. Forexample, in anticipation of a flu season, a pharmaceutical company maypass out promotional thermometers to those who get a flu shot. If peoplein or near a recipients home falls ill, this thermometer may be used totake their temperature. In the process, the times and locations of thethermometer may be interpreted by the data storage system as defining apossible time period and area of infection. The data storage system mayplace the coordinates on a larger map and broadcast the pattern forothers to see. This may induce others in the area or in areas to whichthe map seems to points (which may include times, as well as locations)to also get a flu shot.

The data string that is delivered by the wireless short rangecommunication system that is part of the object may be placed there byany means and at any time. For example, it may be placed there before orafter the object is distributed. If afterwards, instructions may beprovided to the user about how to do this.

Unless otherwise indicated, the mobile communication device 103, thewireless data communication system 105, and/or the data storage system109 may be implemented with a computer system configured to perform thefunctions that have been described herein for the component. Eachcomputer system may include one or more processors, tangible memories(e.g., random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), and/orprogrammable read only memories (PROMS)), tangible storage devices(e.g., hard disk drives, CD/DVD drives, and/or flash memories), systembuses, video processing components, network communication components,input/output ports, and/or user interface devices (e.g., keyboards,pointing devices, displays, microphones, sound reproduction systems,and/or touch screens).

The computer system for the data storage system 109 may include one ormore computers at the same or different locations. When at differentlocations, the computers may be configured to communicate with oneanother through a wired and/or wireless network communication system.

Each computer system may include software (e.g., one or more operatingsystems, device drivers, application programs, and/or communicationprograms). When software is included, the software includes programminginstructions and may include associated data and libraries. Whenincluded, the programming instructions are configured to implement oneor more algorithms that implement one or more of the functions of thecomputer system, as recited herein. The description of each functionthat is performed by each computer system also constitutes a descriptionof the algorithm(s) that performs that function.

The software may be stored on or in one or more non-transitory, tangiblestorage devices, such as one or more hard disk drives, CDs, DVDs, and/orflash memories. The software may be in source code and/or object codeformat. Associated data may be stored in any type of volatile and/ornon-volatile memory. The software may be loaded into a non-transitorymemory and executed by one or more processors.

The components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages thathave been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor thediscussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope ofprotection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated.These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or differentcomponents, steps, features, objects, benefits, and/or advantages. Thesealso include embodiments in which the components and/or steps arearranged and/or ordered differently.

For example, the communication device that prompts the object for itsunique identification information and forwards that information to thedata storage system along with the location information may be astationary communication device, which may be located in a commercial orpublic establishment.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain.

All articles, patents, patent applications, and other publications thathave been cited in this disclosure are incorporated herein by reference.

The phrase “means for” when used in a claim is intended to and should beinterpreted to embrace the corresponding structures and materials thathave been described and their equivalents. Similarly, the phrase “stepfor” when used in a claim is intended to and should be interpreted toembrace the corresponding acts that have been described and theirequivalents. The absence of these phrases from a claim means that theclaim is not intended to and should not be interpreted to be limited tothese corresponding structures, materials, or acts, or to theirequivalents.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow.That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as isconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in theclaims when interpreted in light of this specification and theprosecution history that follows, except where specific meanings havebeen set forth, and to encompass all structural and functionalequivalents.

Relational terms such as “first” and “second” and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another, withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or orderbetween them. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” and any othervariation thereof when used in connection with a list of elements in thespecification or claims are intended to indicate that the list is notexclusive and that other elements may be included. Similarly, an elementpreceded by an “a” or an “an” does not, without further constraints,preclude the existence of additional elements of the identical type.

None of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails tosatisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act,nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended coverage ofsuch subject matter is hereby disclaimed. Except as just stated in thisparagraph, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended orshould be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step,feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public,regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

The abstract is provided to help the reader quickly ascertain the natureof the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, various features in the foregoing detaileddescription are grouped together in various embodiments to streamlinethe disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted asrequiring claimed embodiments to require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing onits own as separately claimed subject matter.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An object location tracking systemcomprising: an object that includes a wireless short range communicationsystem that wirelessly transmits object identification information overa short range that uniquely identifies the object; a mobilecommunication device having: a location detection system that generateslocation information indicative of the location of the wirelesscommunication device; a wireless short range communication system thatwirelessly receives the object identification information from theobject when the object is in close proximity to the mobile communicationdevice; and a wireless data communication system that wirelesslycommunicates the location information and the object identificationinformation to a data storage system; and a data storage system thatreceives and stores the location information and the objectidentification from the wireless data communication system in the mobilecommunication device.
 2. The object location tracking system of claim 1wherein: the wireless short range communication system included with thedevice includes an NFC tag; and the wireless short range communicationsystem included with the mobile communication device includes an NFCinitiator.
 3. The object location tracking system of claim 2 wherein:the data storage system has a network address; the NFC tag that isincluded with the object wirelessly transmits a URL that includes thenetwork address of the data storage system and the object identificationinformation when in close proximity to the mobile communication device.4. The object location tracking system of claim 3 wherein: the wirelessdata communication system in the mobile communication device: wirelesslysends a communication to the data storage system using the URL; inresponse, wirelessly receives from the data storage system a request forthe location information; and wirelessly delivers the locationinformation to the data storage system in response to the request forthe location information; and the data storage system delivers therequest for the location information to the mobile communication devicein response to receipt of the communication from the mobilecommunication device.
 5. The object location tracking system of claim 1wherein the data storage system stores the approximate time it receivesthe location information.
 6. The object location tracking system ofclaim 1 wherein, in response to receipt of the location information, thedata storage system delivers promotional information to the mobilecommunication device that is keyed to the location information that itreceives from the mobile communication device.
 7. The object locationtracking system of claim 1 wherein the object is a promotional object.8. The object location tracking system of claim 1 wherein the objectincludes a location-tracking indicator that visually indicates that theobject includes a location tracking device.
 9. An object that includes awireless short range communication system that, when in close proximityto a mobile communication device that has a compatible wireless shortrange communication system, wirelessly transmits a URL that includes anetwork address of a data storage system and object identificationinformation that uniquely identifies the object.
 10. The object of claim9 wherein the wireless short range communication system is an NFC tag.11. The object of claim 9 wherein the object is a promotional object.12. The object of claim 9 wherein the object includes alocation-tracking indicator that visually indicates that the objectincludes a location tracking device.
 13. A data storage system that:receives communications from multiple wireless mobile communicationdevices, each communication including object identification informationthat uniquely identifies an object that has been brought in closeproximity to the wireless communication device; in response to eachcommunication from a mobile communication device: sends a request backto the mobile communication device for location information indicativeof the location of the mobile communication device; receives thelocation information indicative of the location of the mobilecommunication device; and stores the received object identificationinformation and the location information.
 14. The data storage system ofclaim 13 wherein, in response to each communication from a mobilecommunication device, the data storage system stores the approximatetime when the data storage system received the location information. 15.The data storage system of claim 13 wherein, in response to receipt oflocation information, the data storage system delivers promotionalinformation to the mobile communication device that sent the locationinformation that is keyed to the location information that it receives.16. An object location tracking system comprising: an object thatincludes a wireless short range communication system that wirelesslytransmits object identification information over a short range thatuniquely identifies the object; a communication device having: awireless short range communication system that wirelessly receives theobject identification information from the object when the object is inclose proximity to the mobile communication device; and a wireless datacommunication system that wirelessly communicates location informationindicative of the location of the communication device and the objectidentification information to a data storage system; and a data storagesystem that receives and stores the location information and the objectidentification from the data communication system in the mobilecommunication device.